Campers sing, dance and act.
By MADDY VITALE
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company has a full lineup of classes and camps to help young talents and adults hone and broaden their skills.
This spring and summer there will be something for everyone, with classes and camps specializing in everything from Broadway hits to improv.
“Our 2023 educational lineup features opportunities to inspire people of all ages and abilities to experience the power of theatre and dance education,” Founding Artistic Director Michael Hartman said Sunday.
He continued, “The kids, youth, and adults who participate in one of our camps or classes build confidence, and self-esteem, perfect public speaking skills, grow theatrical abilities, and expand knowledge, all while having fun.”
The classes and camps are geared toward different age groups. There are classes and camps geared toward specific age groups.
For instance, there is the Storytime Theatre, in which students from kindergarten to second grade showcase their skills using their favorite storybook characters.
There is also an Improv Acting Troupe where students in grades seventh to 12th learn improv techniques.
Then there is an adult acting class for people 16 years old and up. The camps give kids plenty of choices from theatre camps that feature hits from Broadway to ones that focus on different cultures.
In addition, there is the Stars program, which specializes in honing acting and theatre skills of those with disabilities. The three-week course is for teens age 13 through adult age with some type of disability.
“OCTC has made a commitment to make theatre accessible for all,” Hartman emphasized. “We are very excited to expand our programming to individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities through our Stars program.”
While the theatre is a popular attraction for students who want to become actors or performers, or for those who just have a passion for singing, dancing and the stage, the nonprofit theatre company, in its 16th year, has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Campers sing, dance and act.
In January, OCTC announced on the nonprofit’s Facebook page that the theatre company was lacking participation and ticket sales and there were difficult decisions that had to be made, which resulted in cuts to some of the programming.
“Our 16th season will look different because we have decided to disband or end some longstanding elements of OCTC,” Hartman said last month.
Despite some difficulty, the beloved local theatre company is able to continue to provide a long list of classes and camps to those, young and old alike, who want to learn or hone their talents.
Here is a list of the lineup of classes and camps:
STORYTIME THEATRE
Students in kindergarten through second grade will bring all their favorite storybook characters to life. Classes meet Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 am. at the OCTC Studios on West Avenue. Classes begin on March 11 and end on April 29.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACTING CLASS
Open to students in third through fifth grades. This class will teach the basics of acting for the stage, and you will learn to hone and craft your acting skills. Classes begin Saturday March 11 and end on Saturday, April 29. All classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the OCTC Studios.
BROADWAY DANCE AND SCULPT
Open to everyone 16 years and older, this 50-minute, open-level class provides a full body warmup and back-to-back cardio bursts of Broadway-inspired dances. Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. starting on March 19 and ending on April 2.
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION PREP
This class is for eighth grade through college levels and is intended for students with an intermediate to advanced understanding of musical theater. Classes meet 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at OCTC studios on March 19, March 26, and April 2.
OCTC 'STARS' PROGRAM
This three-week course is intended for teens age 13 through adult who have physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Classes are held at OCTC studios, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 19, March 26, and April 2.
IMPROV ACTING TROUPE
This improv class teaches classic improv techniques in the style of 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' This class is open to students in seventh through 12th grades. Classes are held on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the OCTC Studios. Classes start April 3 and end on May 15.
ADULT ACTING CLASS
This class is open to anyone 16 years old and older. Learn monologues, and perform both comedic and dramatic scenes. Classes begin Monday, April 3 and end on May 15. Classes meet at OCTC Studios on Mondays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
MUSICAL THEATRE SONG & DANCE
OCTC is offering two sessions of this class, one for students in second to fourth grades and one for students from fifth to eighth grades. Students will experience the thrill of singing, dancing, and performing. Classes are Tuesday nights starting on April 4 and ending on May 16.
Students put on an array of shows to entertain audiences.
MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE FOR ADULTS
This class is open to teens and adults. Each class, you will learn the choreography of a Broadway song. Classes are from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings starting on April 5 and concluding on May 17.
The 2023 Summer Theatre Camp Schedule is as follows:
The Jr. Company gives younger talents the opportunity to shine.
